The Pointless, Worthless List for 11.03.10

You can argue the rest of the list, but you can’t argue the topper. Not just the best Who album, but one of the best albums ever. Highlights: Baba O’Riley, Bargain, Love Ain’t for Keeping, My Wife, Getting in Tune, Going Mobile, Behind Blue Eyes, Won’t Get Fooled Again. Low point: The Song Is Over

2. Meaty, Beaty, Big and Bouncy

According to all-knowing Wikipedia, The Who released 11 studio albums, 10 live albums and a ridiculous 21 compilation/hits albums (that number should go up as The Who seem to release a greatest hits album every 6 months). M,B,B,B was the first ‘greatest hits’ collection and a great primer on early Who. It’s also an important album as it includes several Who classics that were not included in the band’s studio albums: I Can’t Explain, Substitute, Pictures of Lily, I’m a Boy and Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere.

3. Quadrophenia

Yes, side 2/disc 1 drags terribly but the highs of Quadrophenia are so high it more than makes up for the lows. Highlights: The Real Me, I’m One, 5:15, Sea and Sand, Drowned, Dr. Jimmy, Love Reign O’er Me. Low points: The Dirty Jobs, Helpless Dancer.

4. The Who Sell Out

Who Trivia: The band’s first concept album was not “Tommy,” but rather their third studio album. “Sell Out” is a looney collection of songs, commercial jingles and advertisements meant to simulate a pirate radio station. It’s a goofy album, and The Wife doesn’t care for it, but I do. Highlights: Armenia City in the Sky, Mary Anne with the Shaky Hands, Tattoo, Our Love Was, I Can See For Miles, I Can’t Reach You, Sunrise. Low point: Rael.

A personal favorite. The best known song from this one is, sadly, “Squeeze Box.” Highlights: Slip Kid, However Much I Booze, They Are All In Love, Blue Red and Gray, How Many Friends. Low point: Imagine a Man.

The greatest live album by the greatest live band. I once knew some foolish young women who thought “Summertime Blues” was an Alan Jackson song, but I schooled them right away. (Granted, it’s not a Who song either, but I think their version is the definitive one.) Highlights: Young Man Blues, Summertime Blues, Shakin’ All Over, My Generation, Magic Bus.

9. Odds and Sods

This collection of rarities and out-takes is a mixed bag as you’d expect, but it still delivers more solid songs than late-era Who. Highlights: Long Live Rock, Naked Eye, I’m The Face, Now I’m a Farmer, Put the Money Down, Faith in Something Bigger, Too Much of Anything, Pure and Easy. Low points: Little Billy, Glow Girl.

10. Who Are You

The Who’s final album with Keith Moon and thus the final Who album. Highlights: Who Are You, New Song, 905, Sister Disco. Low points: Music Must Change, Love is Coming Down.

11. A Quick One

Second album. You know, in looking at the track list I’m not sure why this is on the bottom. I know I’ve gotten tired of “A Quick One (While He’s Away)” — it’s clever the first few times you hear it, less so over time. Oh well, even the eleventh best Who album is better than most all other albums. Highlights: Run, Run, Run; Boris the Spider, Whiskey Man, Don’t Look Away, See My Way, So Sad About Us. Low points: Heat Wave, Cobwebs and Strange.

*Who albums post-Keith Moon are not really Who albums. They are still pretty good. If I had to rank them I’d say 12. It’s Hard; 13. Endless Wire; and 14. Face Dances.